$10-15k project car or motorcycle
08-09-2013, 09:53 AM
#11
Plenty of Lotus Espirit's that can be had for that cost and room to spare.
08-09-2013, 10:36 AM
#13
Although, I have heard they're a real PITA to work on. 
They can be depending on what you need to do. Getting the turbo off, the "hose from hell" and timing belts are all major pains. The rest is pretty easy and they are generally bulletproof engines and transmissions. But if you were doing a project and had the engine out and did all your work, you would not have to worry about that stuff for a long time after getting the engine back in. Rear clips from Japan can be found to get your high mile beater back to like new fast with a low mileage engine and tranny.
93's add some suspension changes and LSD so it is the best year to buy IMHO, and 94 & 95's have a cooler back end but you can buy the parts and avoid the premium for those cars.
I miss my MR2 every day.
And I meant "do" a ground up restore, not "due".
08-09-2013, 11:21 AM
#14
Motorcycle wise - My in laws have 5 bikes, or 6 maybe.. anyway, two of them are triumphs. One 675 street triple and 1050 speed triple. I love the speed triple, I have access to his bikes 24/7, I have yet to take out the street triple, although I am interested in a slower bike now-a-days. Now that I am married I am more concerned with longevity/quality of life 
and have enough experience to know that 1000cc is just ridiculous and not fun on the street, for someone who values their life anyway. I want a bike that I can use all the gears and need to use the gears to while having fun. So, the smaller bikes are appealing more and more to me.
and have enough experience to know that 1000cc is just ridiculous and not fun on the street, for someone who values their life anyway. I want a bike that I can use all the gears and need to use the gears to while having fun. So, the smaller bikes are appealing more and more to me.
08-09-2013, 11:59 AM
#15
Moderator
I loved my liter bike when I had it but riding it was like looking for trouble - too fast too quick, you're always pushing the limits.
I went down on power and still have fun - it just takes longer to get to ludacris speeds.
An RX with a V8 would be a cool project - reliable enough to drive but still something you can tinker with.
I went down on power and still have fun - it just takes longer to get to ludacris speeds.
An RX with a V8 would be a cool project - reliable enough to drive but still something you can tinker with.
08-09-2013, 12:01 PM
#16
Site Moderator
08-09-2013, 12:04 PM
#17
Thread Starter
I loved my liter bike when I had it but riding it was like looking for trouble - too fast too quick, you're always pushing the limits.
I went down on power and still have fun - it just takes longer to get to ludacris speeds.
An RX with a V8 would be a cool project - reliable enough to drive but still something you can tinker with.
I went down on power and still have fun - it just takes longer to get to ludacris speeds.
An RX with a V8 would be a cool project - reliable enough to drive but still something you can tinker with.
I love riding, I loved all my liter bikes, but I am being real with myself that that is exactly what I was doing - pushing harder and harder. I can't risk that now. I want to be able to enjoy riding with minimal risks. I know the bikes only go as fast as you tell them to, but I dont have that much self control... so slower bike it is, IF I get a bike.
I am kind of leaning toward a high mileage S, and going forced induction with it. I fear that these miata V8 swaps could get to be a PITA and costly. Plus I still adore the S, just need to finally have one that isn't a DD. Nothing else seems to grab me as far as RWD, fun to drive, decently cheap, etc. The only thing is FI with the S is hugely expensive, that is driving me away from that idea a bit.
08-09-2013, 12:11 PM
#18
I love riding, I loved all my liter bikes, but I am being real with myself that that is exactly what I was doing - pushing harder and harder. I can't risk that now. I want to be able to enjoy riding with minimal risks. I know the bikes only go as fast as you tell them to, but I dont have that much self control... so slower bike it is, IF I get a bike.
I am kind of leaning toward a high mileage S, and going forced induction with it. I fear that these miata V8 swaps could get to be a PITA and costly. Plus I still adore the S, just need to finally have one that isn't a DD. Nothing else seems to grab me as far as RWD, fun to drive, decently cheap, etc. The only thing is FI with the S is hugely expensive, that is driving me away from that idea a bit.
I am kind of leaning toward a high mileage S, and going forced induction with it. I fear that these miata V8 swaps could get to be a PITA and costly. Plus I still adore the S, just need to finally have one that isn't a DD. Nothing else seems to grab me as far as RWD, fun to drive, decently cheap, etc. The only thing is FI with the S is hugely expensive, that is driving me away from that idea a bit.
The new Science of Speed turbo kit for the S2K is reasonably priced, I think. Depending on how much the S2K you buy sets you back, that might be a good route to go for FI on the S.
http://www.scienceofspeed.com/produc...harger_system/
08-09-2013, 12:26 PM
#19
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Dizings2k' timestamp='1376078667' post='22716010
I love riding, I loved all my liter bikes, but I am being real with myself that that is exactly what I was doing - pushing harder and harder. I can't risk that now. I want to be able to enjoy riding with minimal risks. I know the bikes only go as fast as you tell them to, but I dont have that much self control... so slower bike it is, IF I get a bike.
I am kind of leaning toward a high mileage S, and going forced induction with it. I fear that these miata V8 swaps could get to be a PITA and costly. Plus I still adore the S, just need to finally have one that isn't a DD. Nothing else seems to grab me as far as RWD, fun to drive, decently cheap, etc. The only thing is FI with the S is hugely expensive, that is driving me away from that idea a bit.
I am kind of leaning toward a high mileage S, and going forced induction with it. I fear that these miata V8 swaps could get to be a PITA and costly. Plus I still adore the S, just need to finally have one that isn't a DD. Nothing else seems to grab me as far as RWD, fun to drive, decently cheap, etc. The only thing is FI with the S is hugely expensive, that is driving me away from that idea a bit.
The new Science of Speed turbo kit for the S2K is reasonably priced, I think. Depending on how much the S2K you buy sets you back, that might be a good route to go for FI on the S.
http://www.scienceofspeed.com/produc...harger_system/
08-09-2013, 12:27 PM
#20
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Dizings2k' timestamp='1376078667' post='22716010
I love riding, I loved all my liter bikes, but I am being real with myself that that is exactly what I was doing - pushing harder and harder. I can't risk that now. I want to be able to enjoy riding with minimal risks. I know the bikes only go as fast as you tell them to, but I dont have that much self control... so slower bike it is, IF I get a bike.
I am kind of leaning toward a high mileage S, and going forced induction with it. I fear that these miata V8 swaps could get to be a PITA and costly. Plus I still adore the S, just need to finally have one that isn't a DD. Nothing else seems to grab me as far as RWD, fun to drive, decently cheap, etc. The only thing is FI with the S is hugely expensive, that is driving me away from that idea a bit.
I am kind of leaning toward a high mileage S, and going forced induction with it. I fear that these miata V8 swaps could get to be a PITA and costly. Plus I still adore the S, just need to finally have one that isn't a DD. Nothing else seems to grab me as far as RWD, fun to drive, decently cheap, etc. The only thing is FI with the S is hugely expensive, that is driving me away from that idea a bit.
The new Science of Speed turbo kit for the S2K is reasonably priced, I think. Depending on how much the S2K you buy sets you back, that might be a good route to go for FI on the S.
http://www.scienceofspeed.com/produc...harger_system/